Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.

Quote by William Cowper

Topics: William Cowper Quotes

Glory, built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.

Glory, built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt.

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

Grief is itself a med'cine.

Grief is itself a med'cine.

I would not enter in my list of friends, Who needlessly sets foot upon a...

I would not enter in my list of friends, Who needlessly sets foot upon a...

For 'tis a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing is lost We seek...

For 'tis a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing is lost We seek...

Ceremony leads her bigots forth, prepared to fight for shadows of no worth. While truths,...

Ceremony leads her bigots forth, prepared to fight for shadows of no worth. While truths,...

Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no...

Knowledge is proud that it knows so much; wisdom is humble that it knows no...

The solemn fop; significant and budge; A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge

The solemn fop; significant and budge; A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge

The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change,...

The earth was made so various, that the mind Of desultory man, studious of change,...

Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.

Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.

Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.

Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor.

No wild enthusiast could rest, till half the world like him was possessed.

No wild enthusiast could rest, till half the world like him was possessed.

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair.

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair.

Absence of occupation is not rest; a mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.

Absence of occupation is not rest; a mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds you so much dread Are big with...

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, The clouds you so much dread Are big with...

'Tis hard if all is false that I advance, A fool must now and then...

'Tis hard if all is false that I advance, A fool must now and then...

Thou god of our idolatry, the press. . . . Thou fountain, at which drink...

Thou god of our idolatry, the press. . . . Thou fountain, at which drink...

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair

It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if...

It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if...

The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be rekindled by intervals...

The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be rekindled by intervals...